Hi guys-
Been a very long time lurker, and finally "bellied up to the bar" and got registered. I want to share an experience I had at work about six weeks ago.
I work at a pet supplies store in the Northwest; it's a small community store, and we get alot of folks who just come in to visit and we know many of our customers on a pretty personal level. On this particular day, one of our regulars came in looking distressed and really "under it". We asked her what we could do to help, and she explained that her father-in-law had just passed away, and his daughter was in critical condition in the hospital. They had just returned from an extensive visit TO CHINA. They came home with a severe respiritory condition and infection that doctors could not get a handle on.........My heart stopped, and I watched as my coworkers comforted her. Not one person had a clue at that moment what this news could possibly mean. It was hardly the time to jump in and scream "OMG- BIRD FLU!", so we encouraged her, and I camly got as much info as possible without being freaky about it. Her father-in-law had passed away in a large well known hospital in San Francisco, and his daughter was in Seattle. I took my coworkers aside after she left, and explained calmly that we had just all had a huge wake up call. Have heard nothing since from that woman, but my coworkers no longer look at me with that exasperated expression when I share what I think about prepping for the future. My boss has begun prepping the store for disaster so that if we get stuck, we're good for two weeks. My other coworkers are prepping at home and asking me questions about what they can do. I made a major purchase for my pets last week, and everyone just kinda got quiet- I just said "Hey- I'm not going to be in a position to not be able to provide for them in any situation." I noticed this week the others doing the same. Just want to say thanks to all who share info here- I've learned alot, and so have others, thanks to you......
Been a very long time lurker, and finally "bellied up to the bar" and got registered. I want to share an experience I had at work about six weeks ago.
I work at a pet supplies store in the Northwest; it's a small community store, and we get alot of folks who just come in to visit and we know many of our customers on a pretty personal level. On this particular day, one of our regulars came in looking distressed and really "under it". We asked her what we could do to help, and she explained that her father-in-law had just passed away, and his daughter was in critical condition in the hospital. They had just returned from an extensive visit TO CHINA. They came home with a severe respiritory condition and infection that doctors could not get a handle on.........My heart stopped, and I watched as my coworkers comforted her. Not one person had a clue at that moment what this news could possibly mean. It was hardly the time to jump in and scream "OMG- BIRD FLU!", so we encouraged her, and I camly got as much info as possible without being freaky about it. Her father-in-law had passed away in a large well known hospital in San Francisco, and his daughter was in Seattle. I took my coworkers aside after she left, and explained calmly that we had just all had a huge wake up call. Have heard nothing since from that woman, but my coworkers no longer look at me with that exasperated expression when I share what I think about prepping for the future. My boss has begun prepping the store for disaster so that if we get stuck, we're good for two weeks. My other coworkers are prepping at home and asking me questions about what they can do. I made a major purchase for my pets last week, and everyone just kinda got quiet- I just said "Hey- I'm not going to be in a position to not be able to provide for them in any situation." I noticed this week the others doing the same. Just want to say thanks to all who share info here- I've learned alot, and so have others, thanks to you......